Smoking is a habit that many Irish people try to quit every year. However, many fail as the cravings reel them back in. We have teamed up with VIP E-cigarettes, and are following the story of two could-be quitters, as they use an e-cigarette for one month and see how they fair in the battle of the cravings. This is what they have to say before beginning their journeys.

James

"I'll quit when I'm 25." "I'll quit after my next birthday. " "When I'm 30." "But I have that big night out coming up." "Work is hard." "I want to be able to smoke on my holiday." I've used every excuse in the book. I'm now 31 years old and it's time to say enough is enough. Today, not tomorrow. My name is James and I'm a ten-a-day smoker who can get up to 20 and beyond when out socially with friends. As you are all aware, this is an expensive, and more importantly, dangerous habit. Having tried and ultimately failed a number of times to kick the habit cold turkey, it's dawning on me that it's time to swallow my pride and ask for help. During the week, I work a nine to five job and most days are interspersed with a number of cravings, usually one in the morning, early afternoon and just before going home.

Some days I have enough willpower to ignore these cravings but other days are not so easy. It's now time to leave these cravings behind and answer some of the bigger cravings which I've been ignoring for a long time. These include:

• A heavier wallet
• Increased energy
• Improved breathing
• Fresher breath
• Whiter teeth
• Better skin
• No cigarette smell

I hope to use my e-cigarette to combat these cravings. I'm sick and tired of spending money on something I don't need and being paranoid that people won't want to sit near me because of the smell of my clothes. Mostly I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. Here's to a new, cleaner, more energetic me! Today, not tomorrow.

Ian

My name is Ian. I am 23 years old and I am currently working as a paralegal in Dublin and a part-time barman on the weekends. When I'm not working, I am playing rugby for my local team. Like many social smokers, my smoking days started in college. In the beginning, I would have one cigarette on a rare occasion, but as the years went on and I started earning more money I would find myself smoking at least a packet on nights out and going through more than one packet a week in college or in work. I want to give up cigarettes for many reasons. The main being the damage that cigarettes have on my health. I also feel that cigarettes have affected my fitness levels and are having a negative effect on my rugby performance. Lastly, the price of cigarettes is likely to continue to rise over the coming years. I am hoping to travel and see the world, and fear that this might not be possible if I keep smoking the way I am currently. I hope that the e-cigarette will provide a good alternative to a cigarette. If it can, I hope I will be in better shape, both physically and mentally. And it couldn't hurt to save a bit of money as well... Check back in with James and Ian next month to see how they got on.